Compound pig feed prices remained “relatively low” during the second quarter of 2015, holding close to late-2014 levels which were themselves the lowest for four years, according to AHDB Pork.
Commenting on the latest figures from Defra, the other feed sector highlight noted by AHDB Pork involved a general increase in the use of wheat and soya in compound feeds in contrast to reduced inclusions of barley, oats and maize.
On the pricing front, the Q2 average of £234 per tonne was marginally lower than the previous quarter but matched the average of the final three months of last year, which was the lowest since 2010.
In terms of compound feed production, Q2 yielded a 1% increase overall, with a minimal increase in breeding and finishing pig feeds but a 6% rise in grower feeds.
“This suggests the size of the UK herd remains broadly stable but that there may have been further improvements in productivity,” said AHDB Pork.
Explaining the wheat and soya increases, AHDB Pork said that the price of feed wheat is relatively lower than barley this year while the soya rise was “indicative of the more appealing price of soya” due to record production in 2014/15. Another high production year for soya is expected for 2015/16.
